Anti-Bullying Ride for Jackson!

Fundraisers

Date:Monday, 16th October 201710:30 AM - 09:30 AM

Venue: idaho falls idaho
| City: Idaho Falls, United States

Thank you for your support and interest in participating in this beautiful cause. Jackson Bezzant is an 8 year old boy in Idaho Falls, ID. He has a condition called Treacher Collins. For details on that, feel free to google it or go to his Facebook page. Jackson has suffered bullying for his condition which is a facial deformity. Jackson has mentioned suicide to his father, Dan Bezzant.
On Jacksons behalf, we are organizing a ride to leave from BLUES ST. BBQ IN AMERICAN FORK on October 15th at 10:30 am and go to Idaho Falls where Jackson lives. ADDRESS: 648 E STATE RD. AMERICAN FORK, UT 84003. We will publish the route with stops when we have our final destination in mind. We will arrive in Idaho Falls in the early evening, and will escort Jackson, his parents, and his 4 siblings to dinner, which will be provided to them at no cost. After dinner, we will attend a party at the local Bowling Alley, which has been donated. Jackson and all kids can bowl for free!
We are currently organizing motels, rooms, and accommodation options for all riders. Because of the distance (appx 245 miles) and the amount of quality time we want to spend with Jackson, we are staying overnight in Idaho Falls. And here is the BEST part…. Monday morning, October 16th, we will escort Jackson to school! We would LOVE to have as many riders stay overnight to escort him to school. We feel strongly that the most impact will be made at the school. Dan Bezzant, Jacksons father, has been clear that the school has been supportive of his son and has taken action against bullying. However, damage has already been done to this sweet child’s soul, and we know it in within our power to make a difference! We will have a documentary crew of some sort doing interviews and sharing our story to help raise awareness. The intent of the ride to create awareness and show community support, not to “scare” or “intimidate” children at school or the community. The family has been clear that the only interaction the desire is to be positive and uplifting.
Some things to know:
We understand that a Sunday/Monday schedule will be challenging for some of you. We coordinated with the family and with our desire to involve the school, we have decided this is best for the majority. If you cannot stay into Monday, please feel free to still attend with us and go back Sunday evening, or early Monday. We will stop north of SLC as well to collect more riders, and in Idaho if necessary. We would like to see as many riders as possible, so please spread the word!
If you do not ride, or have children in this age group that want to attend, feel free to follow in a car. Those following can contact Sarah Epperson directly for instructions on group riding, and helping the riders along the journey.
Dinner and activity will be paid for the family privately, but at this point, everything else is self-pay. We hope to find donors for meals, and accommodations, and will keep the public up to date if those things happen.
We will be doing a 50/50 raffle, as well as collecting money for donations at the event itself. The money will go to the family to help with Jacksons very difficult surgeries.
Jackson is 8. Any and all children within this age group or close too are WELCOME TO ATTEND! This is a family event, but it is also a fantastic way to reach Jacksons heart and let him know kids his age WILL be his friends despite his condition. This is an excellent way to involve and educate your own children, grandchildren or nieces and nephews on bullying. Kids can stop bullying when they see it! Lets take this opportunity to educate our own communities about this.
Lastly…. An accurate headcount will be crucial to the planning of this event. Here is an active link to the event on EventBrite so we can plan. Please register and if you have to cancel, please contact the event coordinators so we can remove your name.
Please note that this event is no way affiliated with any organization, group or management. Not only are ALL riders of all kinds and on aby bike are welcome. However, liability is individual so please make sure your personal insurance and bike/car insurance is in good standing as all liability will fall on the individual.
Kickstands up at 1:30 sharp in American Fork. Feel free to arrive early. We will stage outside Idaho Falls (will inform you as soon as we know where) so we can gather riders from ALL OVER THE COUNTRY!
Further details will be given when made available. We will have the rest of the details planned as fast as possible for the riders sake. Please be patient as we attempt to organize a life-changing event for this angel! Listed below is a few “asks” that we have. We are working on each of these points as we speak but if you are able to contribute your time or energy to this cause, we appreciate all the help we can get.
Spreading the word on social media is helpful but not enough. We want to reach EVERY club, organization, and group. Flyers, this letter, and FB are the main points of information for this ride. Please pass this along and share share share!
Donations for snacks, waters, and meals for riders.
Connections/contact for accommodations for riders in Idaho
Media connections in Utah County and Idaho willing to run a story
A photographer willing to go and document the event as a donation
Drivers willing to follow in a truck or trailer for emergencies with bikes
Letters and cards with pictures from children Jacksons age that can be a pen pal or FB friend
Businesses willing to sponsor or donate. Will receive credit in all marketing
Cases of waters donated for the begninng and during the ride.
RIDERS RIDERS RIDERS! We need all the riders we can get!
Thank You!
Event Coordinators-
Sarah Epperson, Annette Ault, Greg Douglas
LIVE LINK TO EVENTBRITE: https://rideforjackson.eventbrite.com/
PLEASE CONTACT US AT: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for donations, questions and more.
*For more on Jackson story that inspired this ride, visit : http://wtvr.com/2017/09/16/jackson-bezzant-bullied-treachers-collins-syndrome/

Information

Telephone

(208) 522-1101

Email

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